With 1:08 left in the fourth period Friday night, the Russellville Lady Cyclones had the chance to do what they have yet to do all season — close out a close game and come away with a 6A/7A-Central Conference win. RHS trailed 30-29 on Senior Night inside Cyclone Gymnasium and the Mount Saint Mary Belles had the ball.

But after the Belles set the final score at 32-29 at the free-throw line, time ran out on the Lady Cyclones.

Senior Rosalyn Peevy scored Russellville’s only points at the charity stripe, as MSM went on an 8-0 scoring run and led 12-2 at the end of the first quarter. Alyssa Owens opened the second period with a steal and fast-break layup, then hit a pull-up jumper on Russellville’s next possession to make it 14-6.

Peevy went 4-of-5 at the free-throw line and cut the Lady Cyclones’ deficit to 17-10. Senior Meredith Scott added an inside jumper and set the halftime score at 19-12.

Russellville opened the second half with a 4-0 run and cut the Belles’ lead to 19-16, but Mount Saint Mary answered with five straight points. Xiamara Sanchez and Owens each went to the free-throw line.

Sanchez netted one of her free throws, and Owens sank both to bring the score to 24-19 with 3:40 left in the third.

With 53 seconds to go, Peevy hit a layup and Owens added a basket to bring the Lady Cyclones within one point, 24-23. After the Belles went up by three, Owens had a chance to tie the score when she drew a foul on a layup, but was unable to complete the traditional three-point play at the end of the third quarter.

Kenzie Wiedower gave RHS the lead when she spun past a defender and hit the bucket. Mount Saint Mary reclaimed the lead, and the scoring stagnated for the majority of the quarter at 28-27.

Sanchez tied the game at the free-throw line, and moments later Owens went to the line to put the Lady Cyclones up by one.

But again, the Belles didn’t let the lead last long, as they score on the next possession.

Russellville fired off a trio of shots, but each one bounced dangerously around the rim and never fell through. That was a problem that haunted Russellville for the remainder of the game.

Owens scored 13 points for the Lady Cyclones, followed by Peevy with six points and Scott with four. The Lady Cyclones will open the 6A state tournament on Tuesday.